EP1483642A1 - Method to start a computer program - Google Patents

Method to start a computer program

Info

Publication number
EP1483642A1
EP1483642A1 EP03703657A EP03703657A EP1483642A1 EP 1483642 A1 EP1483642 A1 EP 1483642A1 EP 03703657 A EP03703657 A EP 03703657A EP 03703657 A EP03703657 A EP 03703657A EP 1483642 A1 EP1483642 A1 EP 1483642A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
program
computer
memory
method step
primary memory
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03703657A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Trygve Engelbert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sightline Vision AB
Original Assignee
Sightline Vision AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sightline Vision AB filed Critical Sightline Vision AB
Publication of EP1483642A1 publication Critical patent/EP1483642A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
    • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
    • G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
    • G06F9/445—Program loading or initiating
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
    • G06F21/10—Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material ; Digital rights management [DRM]
    • G06F21/12—Protecting executable software
    • G06F21/121—Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
    • G06F21/125—Restricting unauthorised execution of programs by manipulating the program code, e.g. source code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/06—Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
    • G06Q10/063—Operations research, analysis or management

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to method of starting a computer program
  • Computer programs are often distributed by means of diskettes, CD discs or DVD discs, to the purchaser of a computer program or to the purchaser of a licence allowing the use of a computer program
  • the program retailer normally has no control over the purchased software sample with regard to its use and its further dispersion It is often easy to duplicate the software or to install the same in more computers than those included by a licence for example
  • the present invention satisfies such desiderata, by enabling the use of software to be checked or controlled
  • the invention relates to a method of starting a computer program where the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computer on which the program shall be used by a user, wherein the method is characterised by storing in a primary memory of the computer in a first method step a first part of the program, wherein said first program part is comprised of the whole of said program with the exception of a smaller second part thereof, and wherein the primary memory requires the application of a voltage in order to retain information, by fetching said second part of the program from a source other than the source of the first part of the program in a second method step, and by storing said second part of the program in said primary memory in a third method step, wherewith the program is complete and ready for use.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram that illustrates the inventive method
  • the method according to the invention relates to a manner of starting a computer program, wherein the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computer on which the program shall be run by a user.
  • FIG. 1 Shown in Figure 1 is a computer 1 ori which the program shall be run.
  • the computer includes a primary memory 2 and a secondary memory 3 in the form of a hard disc or its correspondence.
  • the computer 1 may be a personal computer or a server.
  • a server 4 or corresponding computer having an associated database 5.
  • the database may be in the memory of the computer 4.
  • a first part of the program to be run is stored in the primary memory 2 of the computer 1 in a first method step, wherein the primary memory is of the kind that requires the application of a voltage in order to retain information.
  • Said first program part is comprised of the whole of said program with the exception of a given smaller second part thereof.
  • the second part of the program is fetched from a source other than the source of the first part of the program in a second method step.
  • This second part of the program is stored in said primary memory in a third method step, wherewith the program is ready for use. This is illustrated in Figure 1 with the transfer of the second part 7 of the program to the first part 6 of the program as shown by the arrow 13, thereby completing the program.
  • the first part of the program is referenced 6 in Fig. 1, and the second part of the program is referenced 7.
  • the complete program is illustrated by the full square 9.
  • the first part 6 of the program is stored in the primary memory 2 of the computer 1. This can be effected from the secondary memory 3 of the computer 1 or from a mobile data media, such as a diskette or a compact disc 10, or in some other suitable fashion
  • the second part 7 of the program is fetched from a source other than the source from which the first part 6 of the program was taken
  • the second part of the program is fetched from a server 4 or computer that is separate from the computer 1, via the internet or some other transfer medium
  • This second part of the program can be fetched via a wired or wireless transfer medium, as illustrated by arrows 11, 12 in Fig 1
  • the program 6, 7 is configured so that said second part 7 of the program need be stored only in the primary memory 2
  • the second part 7 of the program can be any suitable part of the program as a whole For example, it may consist of program instructions, strings, parts of figures or other information without which the user is unable to use the program
  • the second part of the program is thus configured so that the program cannot be used without it
  • a code is caused to be sent from the computer 1 to the server 4, as indicated by the arrow 11, to enable the second part 7 of the program to be fetched
  • the second part 7 of the program is transferred, once the code has been validated by the server 4, as indicated by the arrow 12
  • the code belongs to a user
  • the owner of the code will suitably acquire the code when permission to use the program is given
  • a user can acquire the right to use the program for a number of times or over an agreed calendar period

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of starting a computer program where the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computer (1) on which the program shall be used by a user. The invention is characterised by storing a first part (6) of the program in a primary memory (2) of the computer (1) in a first method step, wherein said first program part is comprised of the whole of said program with the exception of a smaller second part (7) thereof, wherein the primary memory (2) requires the application of a voltage in order to retain information; by fetching said second part (7) of the program from a source (4) other than the source of the first part (6) of the program in a second method step; and by storing said second part (7) of the program in said primary memory (2) in a third method step, wherewith the program (9) is complete and ready for use.

Description

Method to start a computer program
The present invention relates to method of starting a computer program
Computer programs are often distributed by means of diskettes, CD discs or DVD discs, to the purchaser of a computer program or to the purchaser of a licence allowing the use of a computer program Once the software has been installed, the program retailer normally has no control over the purchased software sample with regard to its use and its further dispersion It is often easy to duplicate the software or to install the same in more computers than those included by a licence for example
In the case of certain types of computer programs, it would be highly desirable to have control over the use of purchased software For instance, it would be desirable know how many times the software has been used or the total length of time that the software has been used, so as to obtain a basis on which the purchaser can be billed
The present invention satisfies such desiderata, by enabling the use of software to be checked or controlled
Accordingly, the invention relates to a method of starting a computer program where the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computer on which the program shall be used by a user, wherein the method is characterised by storing in a primary memory of the computer in a first method step a first part of the program, wherein said first program part is comprised of the whole of said program with the exception of a smaller second part thereof, and wherein the primary memory requires the application of a voltage in order to retain information, by fetching said second part of the program from a source other than the source of the first part of the program in a second method step, and by storing said second part of the program in said primary memory in a third method step, wherewith the program is complete and ready for use.
The invention will now be described in more detail partly with reference to an exemplifying embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which Figure 1 is a block diagram that illustrates the inventive method The method according to the invention relates to a manner of starting a computer program, wherein the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computer on which the program shall be run by a user.
Shown in Figure 1 is a computer 1 ori which the program shall be run. The computer includes a primary memory 2 and a secondary memory 3 in the form of a hard disc or its correspondence. The computer 1 may be a personal computer or a server.
Also shown is a server 4 or corresponding computer having an associated database 5. The database may be in the memory of the computer 4.
According to the invention, a first part of the program to be run is stored in the primary memory 2 of the computer 1 in a first method step, wherein the primary memory is of the kind that requires the application of a voltage in order to retain information. Said first program part is comprised of the whole of said program with the exception of a given smaller second part thereof.
The second part of the program is fetched from a source other than the source of the first part of the program in a second method step.
This second part of the program is stored in said primary memory in a third method step, wherewith the program is ready for use. This is illustrated in Figure 1 with the transfer of the second part 7 of the program to the first part 6 of the program as shown by the arrow 13, thereby completing the program.
The first part of the program is referenced 6 in Fig. 1, and the second part of the program is referenced 7. The complete program is illustrated by the full square 9.
It is preferred to store the first part of the program in a memory 2 of the computer 1 prior to carrying out the first method step, said memory being of the kind that will retain stored information without needing to apply a voltage, such as a hard disc.
In the first step of the invention, the first part 6 of the program is stored in the primary memory 2 of the computer 1. This can be effected from the secondary memory 3 of the computer 1 or from a mobile data media, such as a diskette or a compact disc 10, or in some other suitable fashion
In the second method step, the second part 7 of the program is fetched from a source other than the source from which the first part 6 of the program was taken
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part of the program is fetched from a server 4 or computer that is separate from the computer 1, via the internet or some other transfer medium This second part of the program can be fetched via a wired or wireless transfer medium, as illustrated by arrows 11, 12 in Fig 1
According to a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the program 6, 7 is configured so that said second part 7 of the program need be stored only in the primary memory 2
Because the complete program is stored in the primary memory 2, the entire program will be lost when the user exits from the program or switches off the computer 1 In order to be able to use the program again, it is necessary to repeat the aforedescribed three method steps It thus possible to store in the server information disclosing the number of times that the program has been activated The second part 7 of the program can be any suitable part of the program as a whole For example, it may consist of program instructions, strings, parts of figures or other information without which the user is unable to use the program The second part of the program is thus configured so that the program cannot be used without it
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a code is caused to be sent from the computer 1 to the server 4, as indicated by the arrow 11, to enable the second part 7 of the program to be fetched The second part 7 of the program is transferred, once the code has been validated by the server 4, as indicated by the arrow 12
The code belongs to a user The owner of the code will suitably acquire the code when permission to use the program is given For example, a user can acquire the right to use the program for a number of times or over an agreed calendar period
In respect of the second step of the invention, in which the second part of the program is fetched from a different source, it is preferred to store the code in the server 4 and to pair the code with the code owner This enables the code owner to be billed from the server 4, as illustrated by the print-out 14
Although the invention has been described with reference to a number of embodiments thereof, the person skilled in this art will be aware that modifications can be made
The present invention shall not therefore be considered to be limited to said embodiments, since modifications can be made within the scope of the accompanying claims

Claims

Claims
1. A method of starting a computer program where the program is stored in a memory belonging to a computer (1) onwhich the program shall be used by a user, wherein the method is characterised by storing a first part (6) of the program in a primary memory (2) of the computer (1) in a first method step, wherein said first program part is comprised of the whole of said program with the exception of a smaller second part (7) thereof, wherein the primary memory (2) requires the application of a voltage in order to retain information; by fetching said second part (7) of the program from a source (4) other than the first part (6) of the program in a second method step; and by storing said second part (7) of the program in said primary memory (2) in a third method step, wherewith the program (9) is complete and ready for use.
2. A method according Claim 1, characterised by storing the first part (6) of the program in a memory of the computer 1 prior to carrying out the first method step, said memory (2) being of the kind that will retain stored information without needing to apply a voltage, such as a hard disc.
3. A method' according Claim 1 or 2, characterised by configuring the program so that said second part (7) of the program will be stored only in the primary memory (3).
4. A method according Claim 1,2 or 3, characterised in that said first part (6) of the program is fetched from mobile data medium, such as a diskette, or a compact disc (10).
5. A method according Claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterised by fetching said second part (7) of the program from a server (4) or from a computer that is separate from the first mentioned computer (1), via the Internet or some other transfer medium. A method according Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by transferring from the computer (1) to the serve (4) a code for effectuating fetching of said second part (7) of the program. A method according Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by causing the code to be stored by the server (4) when carrying out the second method step, in which the second part (7) of the program is fetched from a second source; and by pairing the code with the owner of the code.
EP03703657A 2002-02-26 2003-02-19 Method to start a computer program Withdrawn EP1483642A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE0200567 2002-02-26
SE0200567A SE524931C2 (en) 2002-02-26 2002-02-26 Procedure for starting a computer program
PCT/SE2003/000269 WO2003073241A1 (en) 2002-02-26 2003-02-19 Method to start a computer program.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1483642A1 true EP1483642A1 (en) 2004-12-08

Family

ID=20287083

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03703657A Withdrawn EP1483642A1 (en) 2002-02-26 2003-02-19 Method to start a computer program

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20050177410A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1483642A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005518599A (en)
CN (1) CN100356287C (en)
AU (1) AU2003206362A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2477046C (en)
HK (1) HK1080170A1 (en)
SE (1) SE524931C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2003073241A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE524931C2 (en) * 2002-02-26 2004-10-26 Sightline Vision Ab Procedure for starting a computer program
JP4564943B2 (en) * 2006-07-19 2010-10-20 日立オムロンターミナルソリューションズ株式会社 Biometric authentication device, terminal device and automatic transaction device

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5103476A (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-04-07 Waite David P Secure system for activating personal computer software at remote locations
WO1992009160A1 (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-05-29 Tau Systems Corporation A secure system for activating personal computer software at remote locations
US6055503A (en) * 1997-08-29 2000-04-25 Preview Systems Software program self-modification
US6304972B1 (en) * 2000-01-03 2001-10-16 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Secure software system and related techniques
US20010034846A1 (en) * 2000-02-28 2001-10-25 Peter Beery Digital data and software security protection
WO2003073241A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-09-04 Sightline Vision Ab Method to start a computer program.

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NZ255971A (en) * 1992-09-21 1997-05-26 Uniloc Singapore Private Ltd Software registration and licensing system uses matching of licensee indentification codes
JPH0887460A (en) * 1994-09-19 1996-04-02 Seiko Epson Corp Installation system
US5629980A (en) * 1994-11-23 1997-05-13 Xerox Corporation System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works
US5754646A (en) 1995-07-19 1998-05-19 Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Method for protecting publicly distributed software
US6292896B1 (en) * 1997-01-22 2001-09-18 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for entity authentication and session key generation
US6233567B1 (en) * 1997-08-29 2001-05-15 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for software licensing electronically distributed programs
US6343280B2 (en) * 1998-12-15 2002-01-29 Jonathan Clark Distributed execution software license server
JP2003529412A (en) * 1999-12-27 2003-10-07 スワンバーグ、アーサー Computerized trade card system
US6636966B1 (en) * 2000-04-03 2003-10-21 Dphi Acquisitions, Inc. Digital rights management within an embedded storage device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5103476A (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-04-07 Waite David P Secure system for activating personal computer software at remote locations
WO1992009160A1 (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-05-29 Tau Systems Corporation A secure system for activating personal computer software at remote locations
US6055503A (en) * 1997-08-29 2000-04-25 Preview Systems Software program self-modification
US6304972B1 (en) * 2000-01-03 2001-10-16 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Secure software system and related techniques
US20010034846A1 (en) * 2000-02-28 2001-10-25 Peter Beery Digital data and software security protection
WO2003073241A1 (en) * 2002-02-26 2003-09-04 Sightline Vision Ab Method to start a computer program.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See also references of WO03073241A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE524931C2 (en) 2004-10-26
SE0200567D0 (en) 2002-02-26
US20050177410A1 (en) 2005-08-11
CA2477046C (en) 2016-01-19
JP2005518599A (en) 2005-06-23
AU2003206362A1 (en) 2003-09-09
WO2003073241A1 (en) 2003-09-04
SE0200567L (en) 2003-08-27
CA2477046A1 (en) 2003-09-04
HK1080170A1 (en) 2006-04-21
CN1639662A (en) 2005-07-13
CN100356287C (en) 2007-12-19

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